Saracens edged Leicester 22-18 at Twickenham on Saturday to claim their first English Premiership title.

It was a repeat of last year’s final and most pundits backed the defending champions to triumph in London for back-to-back titles. However, Saffa-laden Saracens produced a strong first-half showing and followed through to claim their first major success in England’s top tier.

Leicester were off to a poor start with scrumhalf Ben Youngs yellow carded with only five minutes on the clock. Saracens couldn’t capitalise against a 14-man Leicester and only added one penalty via flyhalf Owen Farrell. Tigers pivot Toby Flood then put his side ahead with two three-pointers and added his third shortly before the break, but a James Short try and another five points via Farrell’s boot secured their team a seven-point advantage at half time.

Flood continued to cut away at Saracens’ lead as Leicester capitalised on the opponent’s poor discipline, but Farrell’s 73rd-minute penalty proved decisive as it was enough to clinch victory.